Friday, June 2, 2017

Palace: Resorts World incident not terrorism, not linked to Marawi crisis

MANILA - Malacanang on Friday emphasized that the incident
in Resorts World Manila in Pasay City was not terror-related, even as
reports showed a terrorist group already claimed responsibility for the
attack.

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella, citing information
from law enforcement agencies, said there were no indications that what
took place in Resorts World Manila was a “terroristic activity.”

Abella said the “emotionally disturbed” perpetrator did not
carry out a terror attack and that there were no indications that he
wanted to harm or shoot anyone.

At least 36 bodies
were found in two floors of the casino complex, following an attack by a
supposedly lone heavily-armed suspect, who later committed suicide. The
suspect was stil unidentified. Most of them suffocated due to the thick smoke from the burning casino tables torched by the suspect, authorities said.

The presidential spokesperson also dismissed insinuations that the attack was linked to the ongoing crisis in Marawi City, where the Maute Group, which has pledged allegiance but has yet to get recognition from Islamic State, led a siege.

Abella also noted that apart from the attacker who set himself on fire, only one other individual - a security guard - sustained a gunshot wound after accidentally shooting himself.